The Birth of a Nation: will audiences separate the film from the filmmaker?

Parker's award-winning directorial debut an indiehistorical biopic about preacher Nat Turner and the slave rebellionhe ledhas been overshadowed by the revelations hehad been accused and acquitted of sexual assault while a student at Pennsylvania State University. The complainant committed suicide in 2012.

• Rape case from the past casts pallor on Birth of a Nation
• Art vs. artist: Can The Birth of a Nation escape the storm around Nate Parker?

Some, including TheBirth of a NationactressAunjanueEllis, say art and the artist should remain separate. Others, such as fellow cast member andrape survivor Gabrielle Union, see the controversy as an opportunity. In the video below, both speak toCBC'sEliGlasnerabout the controversy.

The Birth of a Nation: will audiences separate the artwork from the artist?

8 years ago

Duration 1:45

The Birth of a Nation actresses Aunjanue Ellis and Gabrielle Union on separating Nate Parker, the man, from his film and turning a controversy from his past into a teachable moment.

Parker has spoken intermittentlyaboutthe 1999 rape caseand alsodeflected discussion about the revived interest in it.

However,as his film's theatrical release approached, he has been a bit more outspoken, including saying he would not apologize for the incident during a 60 Minutes interview that aired last weekend and criticizing the media attention he's had during an appearance on Steve Harvey's daytime talk show on Wednesday.

"What are these journalists trying to do? Do they care about anyone involved? Do they care about what we've been talking about?I think it's been a tragedy on so many levels," Parker said.

The ideas ofwhat I thought made a man aren't the same as the ideas in my mind right now.- Nate Parker

"Even outside of this tragic situation, I have so much empathy and even regret for that night. Man, you want to talk about erasing something? ... Looking at myself [back then], the ideas of what I thought made a man aren't the same as the ideas in my mind right now."

Still, a group of artists, filmmakers and womencalling itself F--k Rape Culturewill hold a candlelight vigil and silent sit-in Thursday night outside the film's screening atHollywood'sArcLightCinemas.

"Los Angeles women, gender non conforming, LGBTQ people and their allies are invited to a silent candlelight sit-in vigil for the unnamed victims of rape and sexual assault in the U.S." organizers wrote.

"Those in attendance of Thursday evenings' showings of Nate Parker's Birth of a Nation are also invited to join this remembrance. We recognize the need to hold space for those celebrating the advancement of people of colour in Hollywood while continuing to fight for the victims of sexual assault and rape around the world."

The Birth of a Nation opens to wide release Friday.